Lighting Questions

[TackoFallForPres]

Hi everyone I just finished installing my new zen habitat 4x2x2 enclosure. I have some questions about the lighting.

1. My heat lamp is on top of the screen (24 inches) far away from my bearded dragon. Is this too far? Due to it having a long wire the only other place for it would be about 10 inches away from him which I thought was too close.

2. My uvb is 18 inches away from him. This is too far right?

3. This is unrelated to lighting but I have the zen mat and non adhesive shelf liner. Which one should I use?

Any responses are appreciated.

 

[KarrieRee]

Hi everyone I just finished installing my new zen habitat 4x2x2 enclosure. I have some questions about the lighting.

1. My heat lamp is on top of the screen (24 inches) far away from my bearded dragon. Is this too far? Due to it having a long wire the only other place for it would be about 10 inches away from him which I thought was too close. You need a digital probe thermometer to get surface basking temps- what wattage are you using? Trial and error

2. My uvb is 18 inches away from him. This is too far right? For a T 5 yes if its a 14% bulb no - T 5 's 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor inside the tank

3. This is unrelated to lighting but I have the zen mat and non adhesive shelf liner. Which one should I use? Your choice -

Any responses are appreciated.

 

[smaugthebeardie3756]

Heat is by temperature not distance. There should be places to bask that are closer to the light. 12-15" from the UV assuming you are using a T5 hood with either the 10.0 Reptisun or 12% Arcadia bulb. The basking spot temperature should be 100-110 F for a baby or 95-105 F for adult taken with a digital probe set on the spot where the dragon sits to bask. Middle of the tank ambient should be around 90 and cool side should be around 80-85. Nighttime temps no lower than 65 but cooler than the day. You can use a higher wattage bulb or get a ceramic heat emitter or deep heat projector if your temps are too low. As far as the substrate, I use the Zen mat and really like it. Easy to clean, looks good, padded so it's possibly less stress on his joints. Hope this helps!

 

[TackoFallForPres]

Heat is by temperature not distance. There should be places to bask that are closer to the light. 12-15" from the UV assuming you are using a T5 hood with either the 10.0 Reptisun or 12% Arcadia bulb. The basking spot temperature should be 100-110 F for a baby or 95-105 F for adult taken with a digital probe set on the spot where the dragon sits to bask. Middle of the tank ambient should be around 90 and cool side should be around 80-85. Nighttime temps no lower than 65 but cooler than the day. You can use a higher wattage bulb or get a ceramic heat emitter or deep heat projector if your temps are too low. As far as the substrate, I use the Zen mat and really like it. Easy to clean, looks good, padded so it's possibly less stress on his joints. Hope this helps!

It did, thank you!